Current Efforts to Amend the Federal Rule 30(b)(6)

Philadelphia partners Jason Gosselin and Katherine Villanueva presented at the ACC of Greater Philadelphia’s Litigation Law CLE Institute on June 13, 2017. Their presentation was entitled “Room for Improvement: Should Rule Governing Corporate Depositions be Amended?” Deb Carlos, vice president and deputy general counsel of commercial litigation at Comcast Cable, also served on the panel.

The Judicial Conference’s Advisory Committee on Civil Rules formed a subcommittee to study whether changes to Federal Rule 30(b)(6) are warranted. On May 1, 2017, the subcommittee invited attorneys and bar organizations to submit comments regarding the desirability of studying potential amendments to the rule.

This session began with a brief review of the historical framework of Rule 30(b)(6). The panelists then addressed common issues arising in corporate designee depositions that are not specifically addressed by the rule. The panelists offered their thoughts and insights regarding possible amendments to the rule, and how those amendments may resolve 30(b)(6)-related issues.